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Christmas Message 2020
During this Christmas season many of us are drawn to Handel’s “Messiah” and especially to that moving and inspiring selection “For Unto Us.” It’s based on Isaiah 9: 6 and it reminds us that God, in human . . .
Christmas Message 2020
During this Christmas season many of us are drawn to Handel’s “Messiah” and especially to that moving and inspiring selection “For Unto Us.” It’s based on Isaiah 9: 6 and it reminds us that God, in human . . .
Isaiah 61: 1-11
Throughout the Old Testament Book of Judges we are introduced to a number of men who were blessed with “the Spirit of the Lord.” They were usually described as men who had physical and/or military . . .
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Joel 2:13
“Rend your heart and not your garments.”
We all know people who eagerly admit that they are “sorry” when they do something wrong, unethical, immoral or hurtful, but then go right ahead and repeat their . . .
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Jeremiah 36
During the reign of King Josiah the ancient Book of Deuteronomy was discovered hidden away in the temple. It was read to the king and then Josiah read it to the people. God’s Word motivated the . . .
Jonah 1: 1-17, 3: 1-10
We’ve all been there! Someone in authority asks us to do something and we rebel against it. And we have our excuses, of course! We don’t have the time or the interest or the desire. . . .
1 Kings 17: 1-16
Whenever my cousin went flying with his dad, he kept a constant eye on the fuel gauge. Always fearing that they would run out of gas, he insisted that my uncle land and “top off the tank” whenever the gauge read . . .
1 Samuel 1: 9-11,19-20
In the ancient world, a woman’s inability to conceive and bear a child (and preferably a son) was not a medical issue but a theological one. To be barren was God’s way of punishing a woman for her . . .
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Exodus 32: 1-14
Theodore Roosevelt wore a good luck ring that contained a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair. To ensure a good day at the plate, slugger Babe Ruth attached a wooden horseshoe to his locker. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin . . .
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Exodus 12: 1-13; 13: 1-8
I grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia that appeared to be equally split between Christians and Jews. I was always excited when the school was closed for such Jewish religious days as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah marks the start . . .
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Genesis: 50:15
“What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”
Joseph had every right to be upset with his brothers! Initially, they plotted to kill him but then decided to sell him . . .
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Genesis 15
Genesis 15: 1-6
“I promise.” “I promise to call you.” “I promise we’ll get together for lunch.” “I promise we’ll take that cruise . . .
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Genesis 2
Gen. 2:15
A Lutheran congregation in Southern California began a unique ministry among the homeless. The church had access to a piece of property about the size of a football field. They divided it into . . .
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Thy Kingdom Come
“Thy Kingdom Come….”
Bonnie and I spent our honeymoon in Bermuda. We returned for our 10 th , 25 th and 40 th anniversaries. During our first visit as newly weds we . . .
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Luke 11: 1-4
“Forgiveness” – Luke 11:1-4
Her name was Ida. She was a Lutheran through and through but she had a peculiar way of expressing it.
She kept a journal of all the people . . .
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Luke11:1 - 4
“NEED vs WANT” – Luke 11: 1-4
In reference to God providing us with our “daily bread” I sometimes hear people suggest that our Creator will give us what we NEED and not necessarily what . . .
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2 Corinthians 8: 1-15
2 Cor. 8: 1-15
“Last year you were first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.”
I’ve been watching a TV series about some of the men who helped America become . . .
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2 Corinthians 4: 1-18
Well, if you’re over 70 you know the old saying: “Getting old isn’t for sissys.”
I need a small shovel for all the meds I have to take daily and my calendar is marked with endless rounds of . . .
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2 Corinthians 1:1-11
2 Cor. 1: 1-11
On the Golf Channel I watched an interview with a young man who is trying to earn his PGA Playing Card. This would allow him to participate in all the PGA tournaments with the possibility of . . .
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Job 42
Job 42
As we conclude our study of Job we learn that he repented of his past defiance of God. He humbled himself before the Creator of the universe and stood in awe of God’s majesty and might. In . . .
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Job 38: 1- 11
Job 38: 1-11
Job has been raising questions about the fairness of life. Why do the innocent suffer and why do good things happen to bad people? Job cries out, “I call on you, O . . .
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Job 14: 7 - 15
Job 14: 7-15
We’re about mid-way through our study of Job and one of the core themes revolves around the constant battle between good and evil.
Job believes that innocent, upright people should be immune . . .
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Job 3:1-10 and 7:11-21
Job “opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” The loss of children and possessions have finally gotten to him. He’s at the end of the rope!
In chapter seven Job’s anguish is . . .
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Job 1
Job 1 Blog
I don’t know how accurate they are but many Navy action films that depict SEAL school show how demanding and rigorous the training is. Physically and emotionally candidates are . . .
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Pentecost – Acts 2:1-4
As we celebrate the Day of Pentecost our focus is usually on the presence, power and promise of the Holy Spirit. This divine gift fueled the early church’s growth and continues to renew the mission of the Christian community . . .
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1 Corinthians 15:3
“For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures…”
One of my favorite authors is David McCullough. . . .
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I Cor. 13: 1-13
I Cor. 13: 1-13
I heard of a man who refuses to buy his wife Valentine or Wedding Anniversary cards because, as he puts it, they are nothing more than saccharin, sweet, sentimental slush. Perhaps a bit harsh but we . . .
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Acts 17: 1-9
Acts 17: 1-9
In Nora Roberts’ “Of Blood and Bone” a number of small groups attempt to
build new communities following a pandemic that killed billions. Some
groups dedicated themselves to violence while others wanted . . .
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Acts 3: 1- 10
Acts 3: 1-10 –
Recently, many Americans received a stimulus check from the government and, if nothing else, they have been a psychological boost in a time of rising unemployment and financial hardship. For some, . . .
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Acts 1: 1-14
Before Jesus ascended into heaven he met with his disciples on the Mt. of Olives. They were given their final marching orders to descend into Jerusalem and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. Unfortunately, “down” . . .
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Easter Sunday
While serving Incarnation Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC I dreaded Easter morning! Incarnation had the reputation of having more Easter lilies than any other church in the city! In addition, they offered a spectacular . . .
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Palm Sunday Mark 11: 1-11
Mark 11: 1-11
Back in the 1950’s I was always intrigued by the Palm Sunday “extravaganza” put on by the pastor and members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. The church sat in the middle . . .
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Mark 12: 28-44
Mark 12: 28-44
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
During the 8:30 worship service on March 15 Pastor Al announced that Peace would be suspending all services and activities until early . . .
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Mark 12
Mark 12: 1-12
“Jesus began to speak to them in parables….”
We often mistake the parables of Jesus as stories with a moral or ethical teaching. While the parables often give guidance on . . .
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Mark 10
Mark 10: 17-31 Blog
A rich man ran up to Jesus, knelt at his feet and asked the $65,000 question:
“Good Teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?” The man boldly boasted that as a good Jew . . .
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Mark 8:27-9:8
At the beginning of his Gospel, Mark recounts the story of our Lord’s baptism
by John in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water a voice from
heaven proclaimed: “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased . . .
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Mark 7: 1-23
Mark 7: 1-23
“Why don’t your disciples live according to the TRADITIONS of the elders….?”
Bonnie and I have had a Christmas tradition that dates back to our first year of . . .
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Mark 6: 1-29
Mark 6: 1-29
Apparently, the good people of Nazareth didn’t expect much of or from Jesus. Sarcastically they wondered how Jesus could amount to anything since he was the son of a run-of-the-mill . . .
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Mark 5: 21 - 43
Mark 5: 21-43
Jairus, one of the leaders in the synagogue, went to Jesus begging for help. His beloved daughter was at death’s door but he believed in . . .
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Mark 5: 1 - 20
Mark 5: 1-20
If you go to Amazon you’ll discover that there are over 100,000 entries under the title “Jesus.” There are books, videos, . . .
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Mark 4: 1 - 34
Mark 4: 1-34
This lengthy text from St. Mark reminds us that Jesus often spoke in parables
and it’s good to remember that biblical parables are not simply stories with
moral or ethical implications but literary devices that tell . . .
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2 Kings 22: 1-10; 23: 1-3
December 2, 2019 - Pastor Carl Zimmermann At the . . .
Isaiah 11: 1-5
Praxis- Isaiah 11: 1-5
Soon after moving to Arizona a violent monsoon swept through our neighborhood resulting in the uprooting of dozens of trees. A large tree in our backyard was ripped from the ground and . . .
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Hosea 11: 1-9
HOSEA 11: 1-9
One of my former members was considered a “saint” by some and a “patsy” by others.
He had a son who habitually used drugs. He served a number of . . .
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I Kings 12:1-17
1 Kings 12: 1-17
I’ll bet you know someone who has the IQ of a genius but the street smarts of a carrot. There are people among us who qualify as Rhodes Scholars but . . .
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2 Samuel 5:2
2 Samuel 5:2-
“You (David) shall be shepherd of my people Israel”
In many parts of the world a shepherd . . .
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Ruth 1:1-17
Ruth 1: 1-17
Do you have a “clingy” friend? You know, it’s the person who’s constantly calling or texting you wanting to know what you’re doing or where you’re . . .
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Deuteronomy 5
Deut. 5: 1-21; 6: 4-9
We may not remember a great deal about our days in elementary school, but we probably recall that each day began with the Pledge of Allegiance. In all . . .
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Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15
Several years ago, a group of us visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. As we walked through the camp we tried to imagine the horror that took place there some 75 years ago. Even though there were dozens of people . . .
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Hebrews 4:14
In what may seem a strange reference, the author of Hebrews calls Jesus our Great High Priest. He uses this title because he writing to Christians who had converted from Judaism and would have been familiar with the authority and . . .
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Hebrews 2: 10-18
Hebrews 2: 10-18
“It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” . . .
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Psalm 113
Psalm 113:
In the space of just nine verses David praises the Lord at least six times! Never in those nine verses does David praise himself or draw attention to his abilities or accomplishments. . . .
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Pentecost
Pentecost - “Wind, Fire and Power”
A young college football running back who had spent most of the season “warming the bench” was sent in by the coach during the final minute of an . . .
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Romans 5: 1-11
May 26, 2019 Blog – Romans 5: 1-11
News from the synod office came somewhat as a surprise! Our Bishop, Deborah Hutterer announced that she was to be married on May 23. Bishop’s . . .
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Acts 13: 1-3; 14: 8-18
If a man shouted out to a crippled man and immediately the handicap
disappeared I think we would either be amazed or skeptical. Was it a true act
of healing or some trumped up hoax to astound unsuspecting onlookers?
When Paul told a . . .
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Acts 10
Acts 10: 1-17; 34-48
Before and during Christ’s brief earthly ministry there was a high wall that separated Jews and Gentiles. The Jews, who thought of themselves as the exclusive chosen ones of God . . .
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Easter 2019
Easter Blog – “Stirred-Now Shaken!”
When Jesus was born the news “stirred/disturbed” King Herod and all Jerusalem. When Jesus rode into the holy city on the back of a pack animal . . .
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Holy Week
After the birth of Jesus, the Magi (Wisemen) go to Jerusalem and ask where they might find the newborn king of the Jews. Then Matthew records: “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed , and all Jerusalem with him. . . .
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Matthew 25: 1-13
Mt. 25: 1-13
While living in California the Emergency Response professionals always encouraged residents to be prepared for the “sure-to-come” BIG . . .
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March 17, 2019
March 17 Blog:
During seminary one of my professors gave us a final exam that would have tested the wisdom and intellect of God Himself. Even the questions were difficult to comprehend and we knew that our answers . . .
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Pastors aren't perfect
Despite popular opinion pastors are NOT perfect! Like everyone else we have our faults and failings. I found this out the hard way when one of my members called and asked me to her home for a visit. She had been diagnosed . . .
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Matthew 17: 1-8
The Transfiguration – Mt. 17: 1-8 Blog for March 3
As you read through the Gospels you sometimes wonder why Jesus chose Peter to be one of his disciples. Time and time again he’s . . .
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Matthew 14: 13 - 33
Matthew 14: 13-33 Blog
Feeding of the 5000
The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all four of the Gospels, and as one Biblical scholar put it: “The people told it . . .
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Matthew 13: 24-43
I was discouraged! I was MORE than discouraged! For several weeks I had periodically met with a man who was a self-proclaimed atheist. To his credit, he wanted to know more about the Christian faith and we spent many hours . . .
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Matthew 7: 1-14
Feb. 10 Blog – Mt. 7: 1-14, 24-29
“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.” (Mt. 7:1)
This appears to be a strange and naïve admonition because if . . .
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Matthew 6: 7-21
Matthew 6: 7-21 -
As we gathered for a potluck supper the president of my seminary was invited to offer grace and we all bowed our heads waiting for a long-winded theological discourse on the . . .
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Matthew 5:1-20
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God”
Maybe it’s just me, but while I hear an awful lot about wars, border disputes, military takeovers and terrorist attacks I hear very . . .
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Matthew 4: 1-17
January 20 Blog – Matthew 4: 1-17 – Tempted in the Wilderness
One day, during a tour of Israel and Jordan, our group went to a section of Israel where the Jordan River runs through it. At this . . .
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Matthew 3: 1-17
January 13 Blog
Mt. 3: 1-17
“In those days John the Baptist came into the Judean wilderness and began preaching.”
For John, “THOSE” days centuries ago must have been . . .
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Matthew 2: 1-23
Matthew 2: 1-12
In the space of just two verses Matthew records the Magi’s (Three Wisemen) worship of the Christ child and their hasty retreat to avoid any confrontation with Herod’s henchmen who are looking . . .
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Isaiah 42
Blog: Isaiah 42: 1-9
I used to be a “News Junkie.” My car radio was tuned to an all news station and I made it a point to catch as many TV news shows as possible, but the news no longer . . .
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Gospel Mt 5:13-16
December 9 – Gospel – Mt. 5: 13-16
I recently read about a family whose over-the-top outdoor Christmas display is causing quite a stir. Every night, hundreds of cars jam the neighborhood . . .
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Habakkuk 1:1-7
The Book of Habakkuk is a tough one! In it God does not simply predict a Babylonian conquest of the Jews but appears to orchestrate it! Why would a loving God do such a thing to his Chosen ones?
Why? Why . . .
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Turning Swords into Plowshares
The nation with the most swords wins. Assyria was that nation in Isaiah's day. The people of Israel & Judah lived in absolute fear of being conquered and their holy temple in Jerusalem destroyed. Their greatest fears . . .
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2 Kings 5:1-15
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i Kings 3:4-9, 16-28
Prayer –Dear God, please open my heart to hear and understand your word. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This Bible passage sounds inspiring. Here is a brand new, young King of Israel . . .
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2 Samuel 11 & 12:1-9
2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27; 12:1-9
Talk about abuse of power! King David seduces the alluring wife of another man and then, for all intents and purposes, “arranges” his death on the field of battle in . . .
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Joshua 24:1-15
A confession! I am growing weary of certain politicians who insist on telling us how wonderful they are and how they, and they alone, have made our nation that “shining beacon on a hill.” I am tired of those . . .
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Ex. 19: 3-7; 20:1-17
When you compile your list of the world’s greatest fools Moses might be in the top ten, because what right-thinking person would ever agree to lead 600,000 people anywhere, let alone into the desert?
. . .
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Praxis Page Genesis 12
Genesis 12 1-3 NRSV The Calling of Abram
Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I wil make of you a great nation, and I . . .
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